Getting around York

Public transport

First (tel: +44 1904 883 063; www.firstgroup.com/york) is York's main bus company. The Red Line 7 ‘Park and Ride’ bus travels from the York Designer Outlet to York Railway Station daily, stopping off at the city centre en route.

You can buy single tickets, day passes and weekend passes from the driver.

Taxis

There are taxi ranks at York Railway Station, one under the station portico and another in the middle of Station Road. Taxis stop in streets throughout York but two of the main taxi ranks in the city are on Piccadilly and St Saviourgate.

You can pre-book taxis from companies like Fleetways (tel: +44 1904 365 365) and Streamline Taxis (tel: +44 1904 656 565).

Driving

It’s easy to walk around York but if you choose to drive, it’s a small but busy city, so roads can be congested, especially during the rush hours. A set of wheels does give you the option, of course, to get out and see some of the surrounding countryside and stately homes.

The car parks at Bishopthorpe Road, Castle Mills, Foss Bank, Marygate, Monk Bar, Nunnery Lane, St George's Field and Union Terrace have free car parking between 0800 and 1100 on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Car hire

Avis (tel: +44 844 544 6117; www.avis.co.uk), Europcar (tel: +44 371 384 3458; www.europcar.co.uk) and Hertz (tel: +44 843 309 3082; www.hertz.co.uk) all provide car hire in York.

Bicycle hire

Cycling around York is a pleasure – there are over 100km (62 miles) of cycle routes in the city centre and North Yorkshire's surrounding scenic countryside. You can hire bikes from Cycle Heaven at the railway station (tel: +44 1904 622 701; www.cycle-heaven.co.uk).

A digital image at https://illuminoto.com

Book Accommodation

Featured Hotels

The Bar Convent

Situated in the oldest existing convent in England (established in 1686), The Bar Convent offers accommodation with a difference, in elegant surroundings and with a unique and informal ambience. This Grade I listed Georgian building was renovated in the summer of 2006.

The Churchill Hotel

All of the rooms in this hotel are individually decorated and its historic charm is guaranteed to beguile. Housed in a Georgian mansion built around 1827, the Churchill offers a comfortable, relaxing atmosphere. The restaurant is very good, sourcing its ingredients locally and in accordance with the seasons.

The Grange Hotel

A Grade-II-listed Regency townhouse, The Grange exudes good taste - the attached Ivy Brasserie (which received two AA rosettes in 2006) is worth a mention too. Elegant and luxurious, the hotel also offers modern comfort and convenience, including Wi-Fi access.

Middlethorpe Hall

This country house, built in 1699, offers the optimum in lavishness: set in 20 acres of gardens and parkland, it is decorated with antiques consistent with the period of the house, yet also manages to be modern with its own health and fitness spa.

Romley House

This family-run guest house provides a friendly and efficient service at bargain prices. Rooms are homely, decorated in white and floral patterns. Romley House is also renowned for its pictorial and ceramic clown collection - a typical touch of such child-friendly accommodation. Staying here is a way of receiving some classic Yorkshire hospitality.

York International Youth Hostel

This youth hostel's good service and clean and comfortable rooms guarantee good value for money. Although located just outside the city centre, the 10- to 15-minute walk is a delightfully scenic one along the river. The hostel's bedrooms range from single rooms to dorms accommodating up to eight people.

Introducing York

While you’re there

Plan your trip

United Kingdom Information